Ep. 30 – Waltzes, Waltzes, Waltzes

The waltz is one of the most enduring musical forms in Western music. First popular in the late 18th century, it has outlasted powdered wigs, pet rocks, fidget spinners, and even the 6-7 craze — and composers are still writing waltzes today. In this episode, I play three contemporary waltzes for intermediate piano students, each with a very different personality. All three happen to be in the key of A, two in major and one in minor, and each one shows a different way this classic dance form continues to live on in today’s teaching repertoire. We begin with the expressive and flexible Valse Sentimentale by Catherine Rollin, a stylized waltz full of rubato and Impressionist color. Next is Midnight Waltz by Julie Ann Ballard, a reflective minor-key piece that works beautifully for tone and phrasing at the early intermediate level. Finally, Vals Romántico by Martin Cuéllar brings us back to A major with a lyrical, romantic waltz that challenges students to navigate a roaming left hand while maintaining a relaxed tempo. These pieces are excellent additions to the teaching studio and show how the waltz continues to be a vibrant and useful form in contemporary piano literature. Valse Sentimentale - Catherine Rollin (Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition Midnight Waltz -Julie Ann Ballard (Early Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition Vals Romántico - Martín Cuéllar (Late Intermediate) Digital Download Printed Edition